Is A Firm Mattress Better for Your Back? Best Firmness for Back Pain

Are hard mattresses better for your back?

 

Firmer mattresses are not necessarily better for you and could cause discomfort for some sleepers depending on their sleep position, body weight, and personal preferences. The best mattress for your back is one that promotes spinal alignment, provides full-body support, and sufficient sinkage for pressure relief.

Trying to choose a mattress means figuring out what type and firmness level you need — if you have back pain, you may wonder if a firm mattress is better for your back. Firm mattresses may be better for some individuals but not others; while hard mattresses may offer a sturdy surface to keep your spine aligned, the lack of sinkage can be uncomfortable.

If you’re in search of a mattress that supports your back, look for one that supports spinal alignment, offers contoured pressure point relief, and adapts as you move to provide the most comfortable, supportive sleep experience possible.

Keep reading to learn what kinds of mattresses are best for back pain, how to choose a mattress that supports your back, and how you can relieve and prevent back pain in bed.

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What Type of Mattress Is Best for Back Pain?

Unfortunately, there is no universal mattress that is best for back pain. The truth is that a variety of mattresses provide support for spinal alignment and pressure relief — the best option for you will depend on your unique preferences. 

Mattress Type

The benefits of each type of mattress will depend on your needs as well as the actual quality of the mattress. If you know you prefer soft, medium, or firm mattresses, you can begin narrowing your options.

Memory foam mattresses tend to be softer. While sinking deeply into memory foam could cause back pain, this type of mattress may appeal to sleepers who want a cradling feel that cushions their pressure points.

Hybrid mattresses, on the other hand, like the Purple Restore™ Hybrid Mattress, combine a stable internal structure with comfort layers to provide ample support and pressure relief with a medium-to-firm feel. This makes them a suitable choice for a wide range of sleepers.

Different types of mattresses are often available in a range of firmness levels, so you may not be able to choose a comfortable mattress for your back based on type alone. Consider the firmness as well as other features like zoned support to inform your decision.

Mattress Firmness

That said, a mattress firmness scale alone won’t provide you with an accurate recommendation. Depending on your weight, sleep position, pain location, and personal preferences, a medium, firm, or soft mattress may be better for your back pain.

• Soft: A cradling feel with more sinkage may relieve pressure points but allow your spine to shift out of alignment.
• Medium-soft: More responsive than soft beds, a medium-soft mattress pushes back to promote alignment with plenty of give to cradle joints.
• Medium-firm: Firm enough to support your back with more cushion than firmer options, medium-firm beds may be comfortable for a range of sleepers.
• Firm: Minimal sinkage may keep your back aligned but could cause discomfort in the hips and lower back. 

Mattress firmness levels may feel different depending on your sleep position, weight, and specific body needs. Some people may prefer a medium or firm mattress for back pain, while others find a soft mattress provides the relief they need. Ultimately, you should test out mattresses to determine what feels most comfortable and supportive.

How To Choose the Best Mattress for Back Support

The best bed for an achy back may be different for each person. Follow these steps to determine the best firmness level for your mattress.

1. Consider Your Sleep Position

Your preferred sleep position contributes to which mattress firmness will feel comfortable and supportive. The best mattress for spinal alignment also depends on your weight and personal comfort preferences, but you can consider the following recommendations by sleep style to get started:

• Side sleepers: A medium-firm bed can be the best mattress for back support, and side sleepers benefit from the combination of push-back and cushion.
• Back sleepers: Medium to firm mattresses offer enough resistance to keep your spine aligned and distribute your body weight more evenly.
• Stomach sleepers: For stomach sleepers, a medium-firm to firm bed can help prevent painful misalignment.
• Combination sleepers: Sleepers who toss and turn can opt for a responsive medium-firm mattress for a blend of push-back and pressure-relieving sinkage.

2. Account for Your Body Weight

Mattresses feel different depending on your weight. A firm mattress may feel softer and more comfortable to a heavier individual because it offers more push-back to promote spinal alignment. For a person who weighs less, a firm mattress may not cradle their pressure points much or at all, resulting in stiffness and discomfort.

Even weight distribution promotes back support and pressure relief, regardless of your size. Once you’ve determined which firmness levels are most comfortable, keep mattress weight limits in mind to ensure you can rest safely and comfortably without premature sagging or deterioration.

3. Prioritize Pressure Relief

Firm mattresses offer minimal to no sinkage, which can limit how much pressure relief you get when you lie down. While common advice recommends firm mattresses for back pain, many sleepers find these beds stiff and uncomfortable.

Choosing a mattress that adapts to your body and cushions your pressure points can provide soothing relief to prevent or alleviate back pain. Too much sinkage can put more pressure on your joints, so it’s important to find a balance of stability and pressure relief that works for you.

4. Invest in Supportive Materials

High-quality mattresses will not only last longer but may also provide the best combination of support and comfort.

With distinct layers designed to evenly distribute body weight, promote healthy spinal alignment, and cradle pressure points as you move, mattresses made with supportive, durable materials like the Purple Restore™ Hybrid Mattress may be the best choice for sleepers in need of a comfortable, supportive solution. 

5. Trust Your Personal Preferences

You’ll spend every night lying in your new bed, so it’s important to consider your comfort preferences over any online recommendations. For example, even if you realize that an extra-firm bed may be the best option to keep your spine aligned, a hard mattress that leaves your hips and shoulders sore or keeps you awake won’t give you the quality rest you need.

If you aren’t sure where to start, medium-firm mattresses are some of the most popular options with a balance between firm and soft. Trust your body, and try a range of firmness levels to determine what feels best.

Can a Mattress Cause Back Pain? 5 Tips To Prevent and Relieve Discomfort

While your bed should be a peaceful place to rest your head, there’s a chance that your mattress is contributing to sore joints or aching muscles. Whether a new mattress is causing back pain or you’ve been sleeping on the same mattress for over a decade, here are a few ways you can get relief.

1. Place a Pillow Under Your Knees

If you’re wondering whether a soft or firm mattress for lower back pain would be better, you may find some relief without buying a new mattress. 

Try sleeping with a pillow between your legs or under your knees to keep your hips and lower spine aligned. This position can relieve pain and pressure from your lower back, allowing you to sleep more comfortably. Opt for a small or travel-sized pillow like the compact Purple Harmony Anywhere™ Pillow for just enough elevation and support.

2. Change Your Sleep Position

Some sleep positions are better than others for preventing and relieving back pain. Learning how to sleep on your back can help promote healthy spinal alignment to relieve discomfort caused by sleeping on your stomach or putting too much pressure on your hips.

3. Make Your Mattress Softer or Firmer

If your current mattress doesn’t feel as soft or firm as you’d like, you can adjust the feel before investing in a new bed. Whether you want to make your mattress firmer or softer, you can add a mattress topper that changes how the surface feels, though not all mattresses are compatible.

Other methods include:

• Checking your mattress warranty
• Trying a bunkie board
• Replacing the box spring or foundation
• Rotating your mattress

4. Try an Adjustable Base

An adjustable base won’t change how firm your mattress feels, but it can help relieve pressure from different areas of your body. Elevating your feet can reduce strain on your lower back, and Zero-Gravity settings can support the natural curvature of your spine for healthy alignment.

5. Choose a New Mattress

If nothing seems to help your back pain, consider buying a new mattress altogether. The best kind of mattress for back pain depends on several factors, but you should ultimately choose a bed that:

• Evenly distributes your weight
• Supports spinal alignment for your preferred sleep position
• Relieves pressure from sensitive areas 

Visiting a showroom to test mattresses in person can help you decide which firmness level and feel is best for you. 

Remember that you may need to break in your new mattress before it feels comfortable and offers relief. Be sure to look into sleep trials and warranties for the peace of mind that you can try out a mattress before fully committing to it.

Sleep Well With A Good Mattress for Back Support

So, is a firm mattress better for your back? The truth is that there is not a universal mattress that is best for spinal support because every individual has unique needs. Rather than selecting a mattress for its firmness level, opt for a mattress that evenly distributes your weight, supports the curve of your spine, and alleviates pressure.

If your back is stiff and sore from sleeping on a bad mattress, it may be time to invest in a bed that offers soothing pain relief and supports spinal alignment. Try out a Purple mattress to experience the revolutionary, instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid for your most comfortable sleep yet.

Instantly Adapts To Your Body

The GelFlex® Grid responds to your movement, cradling pressure points and supporting your back for maximum comfort.

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